America SCORES Chicago

LOCAL ARTISTS DRAW INSPIRATION FROM THE POETRY OF CHICAGO’S YOUTH.

America SCORES Chicago’s Inspired Art Project will feature the art of 29 artists, based on original works of poetry written by 3rd-8th grade West Side public school students.

CHICAGO, IL – On October 14th, the South Halsted Gallery at 1825 S. Halsted will host the Opening for the Inspired Art Project, a two-week art event “drawing voices together” across Chicago. Through the Inspired Art Project, local artists will highlight and support the creativity of youth in America SCORES Chicago’s free after school program. America SCORES provides comprehensive youth development after school for nearly 500 under-served K-8th grade public school children in Chicago’s North Lawndale, Little Village, and Pilsen neighborhoods. America SCORES’ uses soccer to teach healthy lifestyles and uses poetry along with service learning to promote literacy.

Through the Inspired Art Project, Chicago artists were invited to create original works inspired by selections of the students’ poetry. More than two dozen artists answered the call and their works will be shown through the end of the month in the South Halsted Gallery. “Inspired Art is an incredible project,” said Kate Korroch, an artist participating in her second Inspired Art. “It brings creative minds from different places together.” The project’s website, www.InspiredArtChicago.wordpress.com, features the poetry, the art, profiles of the artists, online bidding options, and additional information about the events.

Starting at 6 p.m. on October 14th, the opening evening will include a wine and cheese reception, an artist meet-and-greet, and a “buy now” option on all 32 pieces of art. Tickets are $20, and all proceeds will directly benefit America SCORES. The exhibit will run for two weeks, culminating in a reception and art auction at the South Halsted Gallery on October 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The evening will feature gourmet hors d’oeuvres, wine, live music, and door prizes for $35 in advance or $50 at the door.

Each Saturday throughout the show, America SCORES will host student nights in the gallery, inviting youth in its program to come, see the works which they inspired and engage with the art thereby completing the cycle of inspiration—from student to artist and back to student.

The public is invited to attend the Inspired Art Project, and all proceeds from the event will help enable America SCORES Chicago to continue providing its programming free in some of Chicago’s most under-resourced communities.